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SMU Athletics | December 2, 2014

Chad Morris introduced as SMU coach

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Morris was the offensive coordinator at Clemson.

DALLAS -- Chad Morris has been named the head football coach at SMU, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced Monday. Morris arrives on the Hilltop after five seasons as an offensive coordinator on the collegiate level and 16 seasons as a Texas high school coach.

"I'm excited about the future of SMU football, and my family is thrilled to be back in the state of Texas," said Morris. "I want to thank Dr. [R. Gerald] Turner, Rick Hart and the search committee for this opportunity. I have to say it was a difficult decision to leave my fellow coaches and our student-athletes at Clemson. I want to thank them for buying into our vision and helping us build something special. I would especially like to thank coach [Dabo] Swinney. It was a great experience and something I'll always remember.

"I only left that great situation because I knew what we could accomplish at SMU. I grew up watching SMU football. I know the history and I know we can be great again. I look forward to working with our student-athletes and staff, as well as my friends and former colleagues, the Texas high school coaches, as we work towards winning championships here on the Hilltop. I can't wait to get started."

"It is an honor and a pleasure to introduce Chad Morris as the head football coach at SMU," Hart said. "His arrival on the Hilltop reinforces our commitment to compete at the highest level. Chad has earned an excellent reputation as a recruiter, a teacher and a leader. His character, integrity, passion, innovation, work ethic and competitiveness are valuable traits as we look to establish SMU as the best overall program in the American Athletic Conference. We welcome Chad, Paula, Mackenzie and Chandler to the Mustang Family and back home to Dallas, Texas.

"I'd also like to thank President Turner and the members of our search committee for their dedication and support, as well as the various groups that provided input throughout this process. We would not have reached this point if not for their efforts."

For the past four seasons, Morris has served as offensive coordinator at Clemson, helping the Tigers to a 41-11 record, the 2011 ACC Championship and four bowl berths, including two BCS Orange Bowl appearances. Clemson also posted three final top-25 rankings, including a top-10 finish in the final USA Today polls in 2012 and 2013. Clemson established 127 offensive records during his four years (89 individual, 38 team) and posted the top three scoring seasons in school history, as well as four of the top five passing seasons in Clemson history. For his work, Morris was named AFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year and one of five finalists for National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by 247Sports.com in 2013, and the National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by Rivals.com in 2011.